How your repayment is calculated
Each monthly repayment covers the interest charged that month, and the rest reduces your mortgage. Early on, most of each repayment is interest; later, most of it pays down the balance. The chart shows how this changes year by year.
Overpayments
An overpayment reduces your balance straight away, so less interest is charged for the rest of the term. Check with your lender first: some fixed-rate mortgages charge a fee if you overpay more than a set amount.
Other costs of buying
Stamp duty, legal fees, valuation and survey fees, and mortgage protection and home insurance are not included.